Gone Medieval

What if one of the most iconic symbols of suffering and triumph in Christian history isn't what you think it is? Matt Lewis is joined by Dr. Faith Tibble to uncover the history and significance of the Crown of Thorns, exploring its Medieval - not ancient - origins, how this symbol evolved from a relic to a powerful icon of suffering and triumph and how kings used it to legitimise their rule by comparing themselves to Christ. They reveals the fascinating ways faith, art, and politics intertwined to shape the story of the Crown of Thorns.Vatican sarcophagus: https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/museo-pio-cristiano/sarcofagi-_a-colonne/sarcofago-con-scene-della-passione-di-cristo.html More:Charlemagnehttps://open.spotify.com/episode/4zrQc5pHsqCjOSyQZ7m2vPGone Medieval is presented by Matt Lewis. Audio editor is Amy Haddow, the senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

**This podcast contains descriptions of sexual violence, enslavement and human sacrifice**"I have never seen more perfect physical specimens, tall as date palms, blond and ruddy. Each man were tattooed with dark-green figures from fingernails to neck."These are the first observations of Vikings from the Arab traveler and diplomat Ibn Fadlan.Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by Dr. Thorir Jonsson Hraundal to explore Ibn Fadlan's extraordinary observations of a Viking ship burial during his journey to the Volga Bulgars in 921 CE. From the initial preparation of the body to the final emotionally and culturally charged moments of cremation, Ibn Fadlan provides a rare and vivid description that offers unparalleled insights into Viking funerary practices. This riveting account paints a picture of ritual, belief, and cultural intersection.The Rise of the Vikingshttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0MNLrJxc5ri920VjZ2mqKvThe Viking Age: New Discoverieshttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0aChBL6wP2qPpSz5al8tp2Gone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega. It was edited by Amy Haddow, the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

Edward of Woodstock, famously known as the Black Prince, was held up as the epitomy of Medieval Chivalry. Matt Lewis is joined by the Black Prince's biographer, Michael Jones to discuss King Edward III's eldest son; how he took command of the English vanguard at the Battle of Crécy at just 16 years old, captured the French King at Poitiers, his potential as a king, and the enigmatic origins of his nickname.Gone Medieval is presented by Matt Lewis. It was edited by Amy Haddow. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

Does a four-winged leopard, a woman riding bareback on a monstrous serpent-like beast and giants having a good chat signal the beginning of the apocalypse? Medieval folk certainly thought so.Dr. Eleanor Janega and Prof. James Palmer delight in these terrifying - and sometimes comical - figures and how they served both as religious symbols and as interpretations of worldly evils, reflecting the medieval fascination with the unknown and the stark moral lessons intended by these vivid depictions.The discuss the meanings of apocalyptic monsters like the dragon and the beast of the abyss, as well as their artistic representations in illuminated manuscripts, church walls, and maps from the medieval period.Gone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega. It was edited by Amy Haddow, the senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.Watch Eleanor's new documentary uncovering how medieval people understood the end of days, from the terrifying visions of Revelation to the vivid warnings painted onto church walls, in Medieval Apocalypse on the History Hit channel.Sign up to History Hit for this and hundreds more original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

Matt Lewis presents a special episode from his podcast Echoes of History on the medieval 'Demon' Samurai.In the world of Assassin's Creed Shadows, the legendary Hattori Hanzo embodies both samurai and shinobi warriors, and earned himself the nickname "The Demon".How did Hattori Hanzo reach such legendary status? How were his loyalties tested as both samurai and shinobi? And what does his story tell us about late Sengoku Japan?Joining Matt Lewis to answer these questions and more are Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt, authors of Ninja Attack!: True Tales Of Assassins, Samurai And Outlaws.You can keep up to date with Hiroko and Matt's work on their blogs blog.hirokoyoda.com and blog.pureinventionbook.comEchoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Tim ArstallProduced by: Matt Lewis, Robin McConnell, Peta StamperSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Manager: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett

Eric Bloodaxe was an epic Viking Warrior, and he could certainly cut down his enemies, but was he as 'great' in reality as his romantic bad-boy legend?Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by historian John Sadler to discuss Eric Bloodaxe's brutal rise to power, his early displays of violent ambition, and how he earned his infamous nickname during a bloody raid in Scotland. They also revel in the sagas and historical records that shape Eric's legend, shedding light on the turbulent politics of medieval Scandinavia and England.More Gone Medieval episodes on the Vikings:https://shows.acast.com/gone-medieval/episodes/viking-travelshttps://shows.acast.com/gone-medieval/episodes/how-to-live-like-a-vikingGone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega. It was edited by Jo Troy, the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

The courageous life of Joanna Plantagenet extends far beyond her mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and her 'brave and heroic' brother Richard the Lionheart. She conquers the throne, escapes from a prison, is shipwrecked, goes on crusade, survives bullying brothers and husbands and essentially waits for no man. As Dr. Catherine Hanley puts it; "you don't become Queen and sit about eating chocolates, there's a job to do".Matt Lewis is joined by Cath to celebrate the adventurous and tumultuous life of Joanna Plantagenet, who's resilience and resourcefulness is astonishing as she navigates political intrigue, personal tragedy, and battles for survival in a male-dominated world. She is a testament to the ways medieval women asserted power and agency in a time of limited control.Gone Medieval is presented by Matt Lewis. It was edited by Amy Haddow, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.Hear Dr. Cath Hanley on Gone Medieval's Matilda: Empress, Queen, Warrior:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3URgqZAWK25RBFbZrE8F40?si=oXtPW4FOQ8eNvQ72vQhmTgFor more on Joanna Plantagenet's family:Eleanor of Aquitaine:https://open.spotify.com/episode/67XsxIAKd8AwctFgFAlkXLRichard the Lionheart:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0vJVuLhSWVzisKBbbNVUqaSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

Dr. Eleanor Janega welcomes Russ Williams, author of 'Where the Folk? A Welsh Folklore Road Trip', to delve into the rich tapestry of Welsh folklore. From the medieval legends of King Arthur to mysterious saints, ghostly castles and even a killer ape, they explore why Wales is a hotbed for folklore. Russ discusses the unique oral storytelling tradition in Wales, its intriguing tales of heroes, monsters, and supernatural beings and how these stories reflect cultural and historical realities.Hear more Gone Medieval:Welsh Ghost Stories: https://open.spotify.com/episode/372E5Cie6GFr1Nv7CC6IOg?si=RCN2S9y7TUaetkCv_u-E7wSupernatural Medieval Ireland: https://open.spotify.com/episode/05WoMMJK9VMM7LiKp3QQ0w?si=uGFFlTqfRt23CcdwTLVKeAGone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega. It was edited by Amy Haddow. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

Imagine walking where those who shaped your deepest beliefs have walked...Matt Lewis is joined by archeologist Professor Jodi Magness to learn how Jerusalem flourished under Byzantine rule and suffered the bloody sieges and dramatic shifts during the Crusades, where Jerusalem saw one of its greatest massacres. They discuss the peaceful transition to Islamic rule and the transformative impact of the construction of the Dome of the Rock.From its significance in early Christian and Islamic times to the violent shifts during the Crusades, discover how this unlikely yet pivotal city shaped religious and cultural landscapes.Hear Professor Jodi Magnus on The Ancients podcast discussing the origins of Jerusalem:https://shows.acast.com/the-ancients/episodes/the-origins-of-jerusalemMore on the Crusades from Gone Medieval:Rewriting the First Crusade: https://shows.acast.com/gone-medieval/episodes/rewriting-the-first-crusadeLife on Crusade: https://shows.acast.com/gone-medieval/episodes/life-on-crusadeGone Medieval is presented by Matt Lewis and edited by Amy Haddow. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on